New Delhi: New Covid variant Omicron is three times more transmissible that the Delta variant, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

“Based on current scientific evidence, the Variant of Concern Omicron is at least 3 times more transmissible than the Delta Variant. Besides, the Delta VOC is still present in different parts of the country. Hence, even greater foresight, data analysis, dynamic decision making and strict & prompt containment action is required at the local and district level,” the ministry said in a letter to the states and UTs.

The Centre has asked states to review the emerging data of Covid-19 affected population, geographical spread, hospital infrastructure and its utilisation, manpower, notifying containment zones, and enforcement of perimeter of containment zones at the district levels. It has called for formulating a strategy that can ensure infection is contained at the local level itself before it spreads to other parts of the state.

The states have been advised that the main elements of the framework to be used should be based on the test positivity rate of 10 per cent or more in the last one week and on bed occupancy of 40 per cent or more on oxygen supported or ICU beds. The states have been asked to focus on containment, test, track, surveillance, clinical management, vaccination and Covid Appropriate Behaviour as strategic areas of intervention.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, in the letter, has asked states and UTs to activate the war rooms and keep analysing all trends and surges, no matter how small and keep taking proactive measures at the district or local level. (IANS)

Prayagraj: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the girl population had increased in the country ever since his government unleashed the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Bachao’ campaign.

After launching various schemes related to women, Modi said here: “To ensure that our daughters are not killed after birth, we made an effort to create an awareness through ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign. It’s the result of this effort that today the ratio of girls has increased in a number of states.”

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, Union Minister Anupriya Patel and Mathura MP Hema Malini were present on the occasion.

Earlier, the Prime Minister reached the parade ground and interacted with members of the self help groups run by women in Uttar Pradesh.

After half hour interaction, Moid laid foundation stones of 202 supplementary nutrition manufacturing units and also made online transfer of Rs 1,000 crores into the accounts of 1.60 lakh women self-help groups.

He also transferred Rs 20 crores into the accounts of 1.01 lakh beneficiaries of Kanya Sumangala Yojna by pressing a remote.

“A few days back the Central government took another decision. Earlier the legal age for boys to get married was 21 years, but for the girls it was only 18 years. Girls also want equal opportunity for their education… Therefore, efforts are being made to increase the age limit of girls for marriage from 18 to 21 years.”

He said the progress of women had been affected in Uttar Pradesh due to the anarchy which prevailing until five years ago.

Without naming any party, he said: “Five years back there was mafia raj on the roads of UP. Goons were calling the shot in the government. It was difficult for sisters and daughters of my UP to move on the roads. It was difficult to go to schools and colleges.”

He said women were unable to speak for themselves then. If they went to a police station, “someone will call in support of the criminal or rapist”.

The Prime Minister said the Yogi “has sent these criminals to the right place”. He said today there are immense opportunities for women in Uttar Pradesh.

“I have full confidence that when we have the blessings of women, no one can push this new UP into darkness again.”

Earlier, Yogi said that since independence discussions were held on giving rights to the women, but concrete efforts were not made on the ground.

“Modi gave the rights to the women, which they had been waiting for since independence, when he became the Prime Minister in 2014.” (UNI)

‘Green India Mission being implemented in J&K for first time’

Jammu: Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta Tuesday chaired a meeting to review the functioning of various wings of the Forest, Ecology & Environment Department.

Commissioner/Secretary, Forest, Ecology & Environment Department along with Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Director, Ecology, Environment & Remote Sensing, Chairman and Member Secretary, Pollution Control Board (PCB), and concerned HoDs participated in the meeting.

It was informed that under Har Gaon Haryali, the Department has covered 1679 panchayats and distributed 20.68 lakh plants and 18.27 lakh seed balls/ patch sowing grass slips.

Towards promoting eco-tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, the Department has developed various facilities including walking trails, camping sites, and directional/ informational signage at Bangus, Kiterdhagi, Reshwari, Badrakali, Venkura, and Rosi-Gali, among others. Meanwhile, the Department has also opened up 49 forest huts for tourists and operationalized 20 eco-trails across Jammu and Kashmir.

The Department is also dedicatedly pursuing the development of the City Biodiversity Index, Local Biodiversity Strategy, and Action Plan for Jammu and Srinagar cities.

Under the Green India Mission, which is being implemented in the Union territory for the first time, the Department will work towards increasing forest cover and improving ecosystem services including biodiversity conservation, hydrological services, and carbon sequestration.   Besides, forest-based livelihood income will also be boosted and alternate fuel energy will be provided to 10,000 households. The Mission will be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs. 372.22 crore and will cover 32,420 Ha of land. Dr Mehta asked the forest deptt to ensure convergence between forest management committee, biodiversity management committee and panchayat plantation committees.

The Forest Department has proactively taken up fire prevention and management by establishing 246 fire control rooms, toll-free helpline(1800-180-7181), developing Pahredar mobile app, and taking timely mitigation measures including the creation of fire lines, water sources, tool & equipment, joint control rooms, awareness creation, and mock drills.

The Department has also compiled and released various forest fire vulnerable studies namely – Manual on Prevention & Control of Forest Fires in J&K-2021; Forest Fire Vulnerability Mapping of J&K-2021; and Forest Fire Risk Zonation and Vulnerability Assessment of Forests of Jammu & Kashmir-2021.

So far, the Department has treated 4296.70 hectares of area, installed 30.36 lakh rft fencing, planted 10.24 lakh saplings, and produced 3.28 lakh plants in nurseries. Additionally, the Department has also treated 5709.08 hectares of area by planting 35.47 plants under the Green JK Drive, 2021-22.

Further, the Department of Wildlife Protection is developing the J&K’s first full-fledged Zoo at an estimated cost of Rs. 62.41 crore at Nagrota, Jammu, besides implementing a mitigation plan for Kishtwar High Altitude National Park and undertaking population estimating exercises for Hangul, Waterbirds, and Snow Leopard.

The Chief Secretary directed the Forest Department to enhance forest-based livelihood by generating 5 crore mandays employment in convergence with the Rural Development Department, Jal Shakti Department, Agriculture and allied departments, and Mission Youth.

Dr. Mehta emphasized proper conservation and management of all 650 wetlands of Jammu and Kashmir and greater integration of different wings of the Department including Forest, Soil Conservation, Wildlife, Pollution Control Board (PCB), and Social Forestry.

The Chief Secretary further directed the Forest Department to activate Village Panchayat Plantation Committees in all 4290 Panchayats and promote monthly dialogues to evolve region-specific sustainable development models.

To ensure widespread people’s participation in government initiatives, the Department was also asked to adopt a multi-disciplinary convergence model, linking school-level eco clubs, Village Panchayat Plantation Committees, and MGNREGA works to various plantation and protection drives.

Further, the Forest Department was asked to evolve a strategy for phased rehabilitation of degraded forest land and fallow land through community participation and ownership. The Department was also asked to expedite the preparation of the City Biodiversity Index, Local Biodiversity Strategy, and Action Plan for the twin capital cities.

The Soil and Water Conservation Department was directed to undertake extensive afforestation of the catchment areas of the water resources being developed under the Jal Jeevan Mission for maintaining a healthy water cycle and promoting natural recharge of both surface and underground water.

Emphasizing the need to keep pollution within the prescribed limits, the PCB was directed to tighten its surveillance especially of the polluting industries like tanneries, brick kilns, cement, and pesticides.

New Delhi: The Indian government on Tuesday said it has asked YouTube and its Department of Telecom (DoT) to order Internet service providers to block 20 channels and two websites operating from Pakistan for spreading antiIndia propaganda.

“In a closely coordinated effort between intelligence agencies and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Ministry on Monday ordered the blocking of 20 channels on YouTube and two websites spreading anti-India propaganda and fake news on the Internet,” the Ministry said in a statement.

Two separate orders were issued – one for 20 YouTube channels and the other for two news websites, for blocking the news channels/portals.

“The channels and websites belong to a coordinated disinformation network operating from Pakistan and spreading fake news about various sensitive subjects related to India. The channels were used to post divisive content in a coordinated manner on topics like Kashmir, Indian Army, minority communities in India, Ram Mandir, General Bipin Rawat,” the Ministry said.

The modus operandi of the anti-India disinformation campaign involved the Naya Pakistan Group (NPG), operating from Pakistan, having a network of YouTube channels and some other standalone YouTube channels not related to NPG, the statement said.

“The channels had a combined subscriber base of over 35 lakh and their videos had over 55 crore views. Some of the YouTube channels of the NPG were being operated by anchors of Pakistani news channels. These YouTube channels had also posted content on issues such as the farmers’ protest, protests related to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and tried to incite the minorities against the Government of India,” it said.

It was feared that these channels would be used to post content to undermine the upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Manipur, Punjab and Uttarakhand.

The Ministry said it has utilized emergency powers under Rule 16 of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

Last year, between June and September, India blocked 224 Chinese applications, including popular video making application TikTok, under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act on grounds that they were engaged in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India. (UNI)

Srinagar: A joint party of the J&K Police and CRPF came under fire from militants at Soura in Srinagar district on Tuesday evening, officials said.

Police sources said the Superintendent of Police, Hazratbal, along with a CRPF team, were conducting checks at a ‘naka’ point in Soura when a militant fired upon them. Nobody was hurt but the team of police and security forces promptly retaliated.

Sources say probably the terrorist got injured during the retaliation but managed to escape.

Police sources said they are following on the vehicle-borne militant. Additional forces have reached the spot and an operation has been started to nab the attacker. (IANS)

Srinagar: Five militant associates were arrested in different parts of Kashmir on Tuesday, police said.

While four militant associates were arrested in south Kashmir Awantipora sub district, another was arrested in Baramulla, north Kashmir.

The four arrested in Awantipora were identified by police as Zubair Gul, Adil Fayaz Ganie, Basit Ali, all residents of Samboora and Shahid Nabi Pandith, a resident of Konibal Pampore

“The arrested four militant associates were linked with JeM (Jaish-e-Mohammad), a police spokesman said.

He said acting on specific input, Awantipora police along with Army’s 50 Rashtriya Rifles and 110 Bn Central Reserve Police Force apprehended the four.

“Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition including pistol, hand grenade were recovered from their possession,” the spokesman said.

“During the preliminary investigation, it was revealed that the arrested militant associates were in touch with JeM commanders and were involved in transportation of arms and ammunition. Besides, they were providing shelter and other logistic support to the active militants operating in Samboora and Pampore areas of Awantipora,” he added.

A case under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Pampore and further investigation has been taken up, the spokesman said.

A militant associate of Lashkar-e-Toiba was arrested on Baramulla outskirts.

The arrested militant associate has been arrested by Faisal Ahmed Dar, a resident of Maldera Shopian south Kashmir.

“Baramulla Police along with units of Army arrested militant associate of LeT upon the receipt of a specific input during a special naka laid at Kralhar railway crossing in Baramulla. 10 rounds of pistol were recovered from his possession,” a police statement said.

A case has been registered in police station Baramulla under relevant sections of law into the matter and investigation has been taken up.

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: In yet another instance of communal harmony, the local Muslims in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district Tuesday helped perform the last rites of a 71-year-old Kashmiri Pandit lady who died on Monday evening.

Setting an example of communal harmony and brotherhood, the local Muslims in main town Tral in Pulwama district came together to help perform the last rites of their elderly lady Pandit neighbour.

Shishi Raina, wife of Pandit Nath Raina, resident of main town Tral Monday evening died after a brief illness on Monday evening.

As only few family members were around, Nath’s local friends and neighbors from the Muslim community took it upon themselves to help perform his last rites.

The local Muslims organized and performed his last rites and mourned her death as one of their own. They shouldered her coffin and arranged wood for the cremation in the town.

“She was one of us. We never thought of him as a Kashmir Pandit. We arranged everything needed for the cremation,” said Abdul Gani, a middle aged man from the locality.

“She has been living here among us for many years. We have lived alongside each other and done everything together,” said another local.

Locals said that this family has never left Kashmir despite facing many problems and it was our duty to help them.

“Once we heard about her sad demise, locals rushed to the spot and arranged everything and took part in his last rites like they took part in last rites of muslims,” they said. (KNO)

Srinagar: Indian Army raised objections to the construction of certain structures coming up in other side of near the Line of Control and across the Teetwal sector of Kupwara district, defence sources said on Tuesday.

They said the Army has objected to it through the established mechanism of communication.

Sources said announcements were also made on the megaphone from Teetwal, on the banks of Kishenganga river, asking the workers across the LoC to stop the work immediately. The local Numberdar also made a request on the megaphone to the workers in other sides of Kashmir to stop the work immediately.

It is not clear whether the upcoming structures were bunkers or something else.

The defence sources said the objections by the Indian Army were raised immediately as soon as the activity was noticed on Tuesday.

The LoC in J&K is calm nowadays. Guns have fallen silent along the LoC since February 25, 2021 as India and Pakistan decided to hold a ceasefire. The Armies of two nuclear neighbours in February this year had announced that they would cease firing across the LoC while recommitting themselves to the 2003 ceasefire agreement. (UNI)

Jammu: After a fresh round of talks with the administration the protesting employees of Power Development Department late on Monday night called off their strike.

The workers will resume work on Tuesday with first light to restore the electricity in the left out areas by repairing the faults as soon as possible.

The PDD employees, under the banner of Jammu and Kashmir Power Employees Coordination Committee on Friday midnight, went on an indefinite strike against privatisation of power in Jammu and Kashmir.

Talking to reporters late night, a senior official of Jammu Power Development Corporation said that in a fresh round of talks in the office of the Jammu Divisional Commissioner, the four-point agenda of protesting employees was taken into consideration and the decisions as have been put on hold.

“The employees have called off their strike and will be resuming work with the first light from tomorrow,” he said.

The JPDCL official said that 80 per cent power has been restored in the region and the remaining will be restored tomorrow, after the workers resume their duties.

He thanked the Army, BSF and other nodal agencies for the timely support and cooperation they had extended in restoration of power in several parts of the region.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had also earlier in the evening assured that 100 per cent power will be restored by tomorrow across the Union Territory.

The Army and BSF Engineers, along with Powergrid employees, have succeeded in restoring power in many parts of Jammu region, an official had earlier said. (UNI)

Srinagar: There was some improvement in the minimum temperature on Tuesday across J&K and Ladakh but most parts continued to experience sub-zero nights as 40-day harshest winter period – ‘Chillai-Kalan’ – started on Tuesday.

The night temperature rose “significantly” across the J&K and Ladalh last night owing to a cloud cover and the weatherman said that “gradual rise” was expected in the low temperature in coming days “due to an approaching feeble Western disturbance.” Also weatherman has forecast snowfall later this week.

A meteorological department official here said that Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K recorded a low of minus 2.8°C and was three degrees  up from previous night’s minus 5.8°C. However, he said, overall it was below minus 1.3°C than the normal for this time of the year.

The 40-day long ‘Chillai Kalan starts on December 21 it is followed by a 20-day long ‘Chillai Khurd’ and a 10-day-long ‘Chilla Bachha’.

The mercury in the world famous resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district settled at minus 5.0°C against minus 5.5°C on the previous night, the official said.

Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, had a low of minus 2.6°C against minus 6.5°C on the previous night, he said.

Pahalgam, the famous resort in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 3.7°C against minus 7.4°C on previous night.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 3.3°C against minus 5.9°C on previous night, the official said.

Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a minimum of minus 3.8°C against minus 5.2°C on the previous night, the official said.

Jammu, the J&K’s winter capital, saw a low of 3.3°C which is minus 5.7°C below normal, he said.

Ladakh’s Leh had a low of minus 8.2°C against last night’s minus 13.9°C while automatic Kargil station recorded minimum of minus 9.0°C. Drass in Kargil, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia, recorded a low of minus 11.1°C, the official said.

“Due to a feeble Western Disturbance, weather is most likely to remain generally cloudy in both J&K and Ladakh with chances of light snowfall at  scattered places of Kashmir(over higher reaches, not plains) Kargil district (Zojila-Drass, Parkachik- Penzila) and over hilly areas of Jammu region during 23rd and 24^th,” the official said, adding,”A snow spell of greater intensity is most likely during 26(Evening) to 28(Forenoon) with Main Activity on 27th.” Except this, the official said, “there’s No forecast of any Major Snow spell in both J&K and Ladakh in December:” (GNS)